Lipase family member M (LIPM)

Lipase family member M (LIPM) is one of the three putative epidermal lipases in mammals, characterized by a predicted lipase/abhydrolase domain structure and high expression in granular layer keratinocytes of the skin. While direct enzymatic activity and substrates in humans remain unverified, experimental evidence from mouse models indicates that LIPM is essential for the organization and maintenance of the skin's intercellular lipid matrix in the stratum corneum. Mice deficient in Lipm suffer fatal dehydration due to impaired skin barrier function, underscoring its pivotal biological role. LIPM’s precise function likely involves lipid hydrolysis or remodeling processes that support epidermal barrier formation, but its involvement as a human drug target remains unsupported and no pharmacological modulators or clinical biomarkers are currently established.

Other names

LIPMLIPL3bA304I5.1Lipase-like abhydrolase domain-containing protein 3BA304I5.1Lipase MLipase-like, ab-hydrolase domain containing 3